When it comes to the NFL and its team owners, their priorities can be listed as such:

1. Money

2. Football

This is a harder point to argue than whether the Washington Redskins’ name is offensive. The U.S. Patent Office thinks so, canceling the team’s trademark last week while ruling that the name is “disparaging to Native Americans.” Plenty have tried to argue that the name is not offensive, although I’d gamble that few of them would call a Native American a “redskin” to their face.

The team has vowed that the office’s ruling won’t affect the team, and it won’t until the appeal process is complete (it took 14 years last time). But if/when they lose their appeal, it’s going to hit team owner Dan Snyder where it hurts: his wallet.

But Snyder can still come out ahead in this.

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Think about all the merchandise they’ll sell if they do change the name and logo and redesign the uniforms. Fans will have to buy new hats, jerseys and T-shirts — if the team comes up with a sharp design, it’ll sell.

There will be some holdouts at first. Some might even cancel their season tickets, although the team’s website offers the option to sign up for the season ticket waiting list, so I’m sure some eager fans will be happy to take their place.

The team can even take it to the next level and change the team’s colors. The guys wearing the old gear will feel left out and want new stuff. Bonus: When the 100th anniversary rolls around, you can sell the throwback jerseys, minus that old controversial nickname, of course.

Sooner or later, the team is going to change its name, with or without Snyder. He might as well do it now and make some money in the process.